Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia after laparoscopic gastric band removal: a rare case report

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare complication of esophageal and upper abdominal surgery. The use of the gastric band has been an established and popular surgical treatment for morbid obesity. We describe a rare case of a patient who had undergone laparoscopic surgery to remove an adjustable gastric band, who presented 5 months later with an acute intense thoracic pain. The computed tomography scan revealed a diaphragmatic hernia containing the stomach. The patient required emergent laparoscopic surgery to reduce the hernia, repair the defect and resection of the ischemic stomach. In this case report, we discuss the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this very rare complication of laparoscopic gastric banding removal.